Custom Emojis in Telegram: 2025 Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners & Brands

Introduction to Custom Emojis in Telegram

Emojis have become a core part of digital communication—and now in 2025, Telegram lets users and brands go further by creating custom emoji packs. These are more than just fun symbols: they serve as identity markers, engagement tools and brand personality boosters. Whether you’re a casual user looking to personalize your chats or a business aiming to stand out in Telegram channels, understanding how to create and deploy custom emojis gives you a competitive edge.

How to Create Custom Emojis in Telegram (2025 Update)

• Telegram continues to support static (.PNG/.WEBP) and animated (.TGS or video) custom emoji formats.
• Custom emoji use is tied to Telegram Premium for sending in chats, though all users can view installed packs.
• Advanced use-cases: bots, channels, and branding can leverage custom emoji IDs via API (with restrictions).
• Because emojis are increasingly used for brand engagement and communication, companies are adopting them as part of their digital identity. Research shows emojis in marketing are tied to higher engagement.

Telegram Premium Custom Emojis: What Makes Them Special

Custom emojis in Telegram refer to emoji-style graphics that users upload (or brands create) and then integrate into chats, groups or channels. They differ from stickers in that they behave more like emoji—can be typed with shortcuts, show up in the emoji panel, and may support animated loops.

According to Telegram’s specs:

• Static: PNG/WEBP, 100×100 px.
• Animated (vector): .TGS (Lottie), 512×512 canvas, up to 3 seconds, up to 60 fps.

They exist so users can express unique feelings, align with brand visuals, and make chats more personal. As one marketing expert put it: “Custom emojis help individuals and businesses stand out in chats and group discussions.”

Step-by-Step Guide: Uploading and Sharing Custom Emojis on Telegram

Here’s a step-by-step guide for creating a static emoji pack on Telegram (2025 update):

1. Open Telegram (Desktop or Web is easiest for uploads).
2. In the search bar, search for @Stickers bot and start a chat.
3. Send the command /newemojipack.
4. Name your emoji pack when prompted.
5. Upload your image files as File, not compressed photo. Use PNG or WEBP, 100×100 pixels.
6. After uploading each image, send one or more base emojis (so Telegram can link the image to that emoji).
7. When done uploading all the images, send /publish. Choose an icon (or skip), set a short name, and Telegram will return a link like t.me/addemoji/<slug>.
8. Click the link to add the pack. Now you can use those emojis in chats (if you’re a Premium user) or share the link with others.

Design tips:

• Use simple shapes and bold lines; tiny details are lost at 100×100.
• High contrast so they look good in light & dark mode.
• Test them at the actual size on a phone before finalizing.

1.How to Create Animated / Video Custom Emojis (Step-by-Step)

To take it a step further with animated or video custom emojis:

1. Follow the same initial steps: use @Stickers ➜ /newemojipack ➜ name the pack.
2. For animations, the specs are:
   • Video custom emoji: WebM (VP9) or similar, 100×100px, ≤ 3 s, ≤ 30 FPS, size cap ≤ 256 KB.
   • Vector animated custom emoji (.TGS Lottie): 512×512 canvas, ≤ 3 s, up to 60 fps, ≤ 64 KB.
3. Upload each animation file (send as File).
4. After each, send the base emoji(s) to link the animation.
5. Send /publish, pick icon / skip, get the link.
6. Users can add the pack; only Premium users can send them in chats (or group-admin sets custom packs).

This level enables brands and creators to deliver richer expressive content—animated reactions rather than static icons.

2. Uploading, Publishing & Sharing Custom Emoji Packs

After you publish your pack:

• You’ll get a link like t.me/addemoji/<slug> which you can share anywhere (web, chat, social media).
• Users click the link → Add Emoji → pack appears in their emoji panel.
• Use in chats: If you’re a Premium user, you can send custom emojis as messages or reactions. Non-Premium users can view them, use in Saved Messages, and see them when others send them.
• For group or channel use: An admin can allow one custom emoji pack for the group members.
• If you’re distributing as a brand, embed the link in your communications, encourage users to add the pack, and align the emoji visuals with your brand identity.

3.Using Custom Emojis in Telegram Premium, Bots & Channels (Advanced)

Telegram Premium usage

• Premium features open the door to creative freedom. Only Premium subscribers can send custom emojis in chats and reactions, while everyone else can still view and add them. The magic of Telegram Premium Stickers lies in how they turn everyday messages into personalized, brand-level expressions.

Bots & API usage

• Using custom emojis in bots or via Telegram’s Bot API is more complex. One discussion states:

“Custom emoji entities can only be used by bots that purchased additional usernames on Fragment.”

• Example:

“If you want your bot to be able to use custom emoji, you’ll have to purchase a username for it on Telegram’s platform Fragment.”

This means brands or developers need to be aware of extra steps (and potential cost) when using custom emojis in bots or automated workflows.

• For channels: Custom emoji packs can be integrated in branding, reactions, and community engagement inside the channel.

Use-Case: Brand & Community Engagement

Consider a brand-owned Telegram channel. By releasing a branded custom emoji pack, the community feels a stronger identification with the brand, boosting engagement and retention. Research shows use of emoji in marketing communications fosters higher engagement.

4.Business Branding with Custom Emojis in Telegram – Real-World Examples & Stats

Why brands use custom emojis

• Emojis serve as micro-visual cues that enhance emotional connection with audiences.
• According to research on marketing communications: using emojis fosters greater brand engagement and emotional connection.

Example scenario: RootLogo

Let’s imagine a company named RootLogo (hypothetical) that uses custom emojis for its Telegram channel. They:

• Designed a pack of 10 branded icons (logo stylized mascot, brand colours) in static and animated form.
• Uploaded the pack and shared link in their channel, inviting members: “Add our emoji pack and use it in chat to show you’re part of the RootLogo community”.
• Then they encouraged users: “Use our custom emoji when giving feedback / tagging our posts – it triggers us to re-post the best ones”.
• Result: The brand witnessed a 45% increase in user-generated posts inside the Telegram channel, and membership retention rose by 22% over three months (internal metric).

Table: Branding impact of emoji use

“Our branded emoji pack became a badge of the community — users were proud to use it and it made our channel feel more alive.” – Marketing Lead, RootLogo

Key Takeaways for brands

• Align design of custom emojis with brand identity (colours, mascot, tone).
• Use animations to increase novelty and shareability.
• Promote the emoji pack proactively: in chats, posts, announcements.
• Monitor usage and tie emoji-related activity to KPIs (engagement, retention).
• Be aware of Telegram Premium restrictions (who can send them) and plan accordingly.

5.Restrictions, Formats & Best Practices

Format & size requirements (Telegram official)

Restrictions

• Only Premium users can send custom emojis in chats. Others can view but not send them as emoji.
• Bots need special setup (username via Fragment) if they want to send custom emojis.
• Make sure files meet size limits, correct canvas size, correct format; else upload is rejected.
• For branding: ensure emoji design aligns with platform policies and doesn’t infringe copyrights.

Best Practices

• Keep the style consistent (line weight, colour palette).
• Avoid overly complex graphics because at 100×100 they get blurry.
• Test in dark and light themes.
• Use emoji names/shortcuts that make sense (so users remember them).
• Promote usage: show examples of how users can use the emoji in your channel.
• Measure adoption: track installs of the pack via link, track usage inside channels/groups.

6.Troubleshooting Common Issues

• “Upload rejected” → double-check file size, format, pixel dimensions.
• “Users can’t send custom emojis” → confirm they are Premium; non-Premium can’t send packs.
• Bot not sending custom emoji → ensure bot has username via Fragment and meets Bot API requirements.
• Emoji looks fuzzy or misaligned → adjust art for legibility at small size; test on mobile.
• Custom emoji pack not showing → share correct t.me/addemoji/<slug> link; ensure pack published and users added it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are “custom emoji packs Telegram”?
Custom emoji packs on Telegram are collections of emoji-style graphics (static or animated) that users upload and share via Telegram’s @Stickers bot. They appear in emoji panel and chats.

Q2: How to create custom emojis in Telegram?
Use the @Stickers bot in Telegram, send /newemojipack, upload PNG/WEBP (100×100 px) or appropriate animation files, then /publish. Share the t.me/addemoji/... link for others to add.

Q3: Telegram Premium custom emojis usage — what’s that?
Telegram Premium subscribers can send custom emojis in chats and reactions. Free users can add and view them but cannot send them as custom emoji from the pack.

Q4: How to create custom animated emojis in Telegram (step-by-step)?
Design an animated file (.TGS or WebM) meeting specs, upload via @Stickers bot in the same way you do for static emojis, link base emojis for searchability, then publish. See file size and dimensions (e.g., .TGS: 512×512 canvas, ≤3 s).

Q5: Uploading and sharing custom emojis on Telegram — how?
After publishing your pack, you’ll get a unique link (e.g., t.me/addemoji/YourPackName). Share this link anywhere. Users click, add the pack and then it appears in their emoji panel. Use in chats and groups.

Q6: Business branding with custom emojis on Telegram — what opportunities?
Brands can create custom emoji packs aligned with their identity (logo, mascot, colours) and distribute them in their Telegram channels or communities. This strengthens brand recognition and engagement.

Q7: Custom emoji restrictions and format requirements in Telegram — what must I know?
Ensure correct format (PNG/WEBP static, WebM or .TGS for animations), size limits (100×100 px for static, etc.). Only Premium users can send them. Bots require extra setup (Fragment username) if they send custom emojis.

Conclusion

Custom emojis in Telegram offer a powerful way to personalize chats, enhance user experience and for brands, strengthen engagement and identity. In 2025, with the right design, format compliance and strategic usage, you can create emoji packs that stand out.

Ready to get started?

1. Design your first pack (even just 5–10 emojis) aligned with your personal or brand identity.
2. Upload it via @Stickers as shown above.
3. Share the link in your chat/channel and encourage usage.
4. Monitor how often the pack is used, adapt design accordingly.

If you’re a brand or community manager and want a consult or design support for a custom emoji pack strategy, reach out and let’s make your Telegram presence uniquely yours. 🎉